Tell us a bit about yourself: My heritage is mixed – my father is Samoan: Te’o Lomealagi from Vaie’e Safata, and my mother is of Irish descent, but she was born in Kaitaia and raised in Glen Innes. My husband’s name is Jonah, and he’s of Tongan heritage. Together we have two boys, aged 5 and 1. The most important thing to me about my culture is family, and serving those around you.
Who inspires you most? My mum. I don’t know how she held down a full-time job and raised two kids! Definitely, something I am still trying to manage.
What skills from your last role have helped you with your current work at Piritahi? My last job was working as a counsellor at a primary school and for The Palace dance studio. I also did some work for a community organisation called Fonua Ola. I am passionate about working in my community so I thought this job would be a good chance for me to grow and learn with regard to communication.
I feel like the skills I have from counselling help with interacting with residents and those around me. The active listening skills are coming in handy.
What’s vital to your role within the Tāmaki neighbourhood?
It’s important to build trust and connection with the Tāmaki community as a lot of people there, including my family, have been there 50 years and longer.
What challenges have you faced in the CLA role? I have struggled with understanding ‘construction terminology’ as I don’t have a construction background. I think what has helped me most is that the site team have been super supportive and more than happy to answer any questions I have had. Asking questions when I don’t know something is something that has helped.
Learning about construction and forming new relationships have been challenging but they’re actually the best things about my job too!
I love this community, so I find it easy to relate to the residents!
What’s the best thing someone has said to you in your role so far? I did get one comment saying that they were amazed at how I am so comfortable talking to people – mostly residents. I can attribute these people skills to my counselling background and also the fact that I grew up in Tāmaki.
What are you looking forward to over the next year? I'm looking forward to growing in my role and learning from those around me. Tāmaki is also picking up so I am excited for it to get busier.
Tell us a bit about yourself: My heritage is mixed – my father is Samoan: Te’o Lomealagi from Vaie’e Safata, and my mother is of Irish descent, but she was born in Kaitaia and raised in Glen Innes. My husband’s name is Jonah, and he’s of Tongan heritage. Together we have two boys, aged 5 and 1. The most important thing to me about my culture is family, and serving those around you.
Who inspires you most? My mum. I don’t know how she held down a full-time job and raised two kids! Definitely, something I am still trying to manage.
What skills from your last role have helped you with your current work at Piritahi? My last job was working as a counsellor at a primary school and for The Palace dance studio. I also did some work for a community organisation called Fonua Ola. I am passionate about working in my community so I thought this job would be a good chance for me to grow and learn with regard to communication.
I feel like the skills I have from counselling help with interacting with residents and those around me. The active listening skills are coming in handy.
What’s vital to your role within the Tāmaki neighbourhood?
It’s important to build trust and connection with the Tāmaki community as a lot of people there, including my family, have been there 50 years and longer.
What challenges have you faced in the CLA role? I have struggled with understanding ‘construction terminology’ as I don’t have a construction background. I think what has helped me most is that the site team have been super supportive and more than happy to answer any questions I have had. Asking questions when I don’t know something is something that has helped.
Learning about construction and forming new relationships have been challenging but they’re actually the best things about my job too!
I love this community, so I find it easy to relate to the residents!
What’s the best thing someone has said to you in your role so far? I did get one comment saying that they were amazed at how I am so comfortable talking to people – mostly residents. I can attribute these people skills to my counselling background and also the fact that I grew up in Tāmaki.
What are you looking forward to over the next year? I'm looking forward to growing in my role and learning from those around me. Tāmaki is also picking up so I am excited for it to get busier.
Tell us a bit about yourself: My heritage is mixed – my father is Samoan: Te’o Lomealagi from Vaie’e Safata, and my mother is of Irish descent, but she was born in Kaitaia and raised in Glen Innes. My husband’s name is Jonah, and he’s of Tongan heritage. Together we have two boys, aged 5 and 1. The most important thing to me about my culture is family, and serving those around you.
Who inspires you most? My mum. I don’t know how she held down a full-time job and raised two kids! Definitely, something I am still trying to manage.
What skills from your last role have helped you with your current work at Piritahi? My last job was working as a counsellor at a primary school and for The Palace dance studio. I also did some work for a community organisation called Fonua Ola. I am passionate about working in my community so I thought this job would be a good chance for me to grow and learn with regard to communication.
I feel like the skills I have from counselling help with interacting with residents and those around me. The active listening skills are coming in handy.
What’s vital to your role within the Tāmaki neighbourhood?
It’s important to build trust and connection with the Tāmaki community as a lot of people there, including my family, have been there 50 years and longer.
What challenges have you faced in the CLA role? I have struggled with understanding ‘construction terminology’ as I don’t have a construction background. I think what has helped me most is that the site team have been super supportive and more than happy to answer any questions I have had. Asking questions when I don’t know something is something that has helped.
Learning about construction and forming new relationships have been challenging but they’re actually the best things about my job too!
I love this community, so I find it easy to relate to the residents!
What’s the best thing someone has said to you in your role so far? I did get one comment saying that they were amazed at how I am so comfortable talking to people – mostly residents. I can attribute these people skills to my counselling background and also the fact that I grew up in Tāmaki.
What are you looking forward to over the next year? I'm looking forward to growing in my role and learning from those around me. Tāmaki is also picking up so I am excited for it to get busier.